Performance Review: BMW 3 Series M3 E30 - [1986]

Figures & Specs Summary:

BMW 3 Series Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the BMW 3 Series M3 E30 is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1986. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1987 Porsche 959 Turbo and the 1987 Ferrari F40 2.9 V8.This particular BMW 3 Series has a 2302cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 4 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St4's includes the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo

The 3 Series shares its Petrol St4 engine configuration with the likes of the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo and the 2013 Caterham 7 620 R 2.0 L Supercharged. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the 3 Series's Rear Wheel Drive, Coupe combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1165 kgs (2568 lbs) this makes the BMW 3 Series M3 E30 in the same weight category as the 2016 Ford Fiesta ST 200 1.6 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The BMW 3 Series shares the same bhp with the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (177 bhp)

In terms of power the 2302cc 16V St4 engine produces 197 bhp (146 kW) @ 6750 rpm similar to the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (177 bhp) or the 2020 Audi A1 Sportback 40 TFSI S tronic S line (197 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St4 throws out 170 lb-ft (230.4 Nm) @ 4750 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (162 lb-ft) or the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (184 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the BMW 3 Series you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2008 Pontiac G8 GT 6.0 (194.0 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the BMW 3 Series.

The BMW 3 Series has a Power to weight ratio of 169.0 bhp per ton and 145.9 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1986 3 Series competing with the 2008 Pontiac G8 GT 6.0 (194.0 bhp per ton) or the 2003 Ford Mustang Mach 1 (194.0 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the BMW 3 Series generating around 145.9 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 1971 Maserati Indy 4.7 V8 (170.9 lb-ft per ton) or the 2009 Citroen DS3 1.6 HDi 110 (170.8 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 6.50 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 6.7 secs, this made the BMW 3 Series M3 E30 as fast as the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (6.50 secs) the 2018 Abarth 595 Competizione 1.4 Turbo (6.50 secs) the 2016 Abarth 124 Spider 1.4 Turbo (6.50 secs) the or the 2016 Subaru Legacy 3.6 R (6.50 secs). This BMW 3 Series M3 E30 is also faster than the 2018 Toyota Sequoia TRD Sport 5.7 V8 (6.60 secs) the 2016 Audi A3 2.0 TDI S-tronic Quattro Sportback (6.60 secs) the 2014 Audi A1 1.8 TFSI S-TRONIC (6.60 secs) the and the 2013 Ford Fiesta ST 1.6 Turbo (6.60 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 3 Series and the 1982 Ferrari 308 GTB QV 3.0l V8

When talking about the performance of the BMW 3 Series on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 14.84 secs @ 92.2 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1982 Ferrari 308 GTB QV 3.0l V8 (14.78 secs), the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.3 EcoBoost Automatic (14.78 secs), and the 2001 Honda Civic 2.0i 16v VTEC Type R EP2 - JDM (14.79 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1986 version of the BMW 3 Series M3 E30 has a maximum speed of 146mph.

Top Speed of the 1986 3 Series equals the 2016 Maserati Quattroporte 3.0 V6 Turbo Diesel (157 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1986 BMW 3 Series M3 E30 then how about the 2016 Maserati Quattroporte 3.0 V6 Turbo Diesel (157 mph), the 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX FQ 360 (157 mph), or the 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX FQ 320 (157 mph).

Related Links:

1986 3 Series Rivals List.

A Brief History of BMW

Car Comparison